Tiffany Couch

A Passion for Finding the Truth

Forensic Accounting Expert

Early in my career, I assisted a client through a divorce, where one spouse was claiming “there was no money.” Over the course of that engagement, I not only figured out there were millions of dollars available to the marital estate, but I also helped a client gain confidence in understanding their financial situation and assisted their lawyer in understanding the numbers and negotiating a favorable settlement.

I had never heard the term forensic accounting at that point in my life, but that single engagement propelled me to explore a passion that I was lucky enough to eventually call my profession.

Since that day, I have dedicated my entire career to one endeavor: becoming a leading forensic accountant who helps clients and their legal counsel understand complex financial data. I live for those “aha” moments, when the clarity I am able to provide enables them to make confident and informed decisions.

I have investigated hundreds of instances of fraud, testified in local, state and federal courtrooms throughout America, and have had the privilege of assisting clients in a range of industries and size. On the technical side, I hold the professional credentials of Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). In 2015 and 2016 I was honored to serve as the Vice-Chair and Chairwoman of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’Board of Regents.

As a business owner myself, I understand that there’s more to fraud and complex litigation than numbers. No organization is immune to these situations, and it hurts more than just the bottom line. Let me use my expertise to help you recover losses, regain your confidence, and move forward from a place of strength.

Author

Somehow, I found the time to author a book! The Thief in Your Company was a true labor of love. Using real-life stories from my investigations of fraud at small businesses, nonprofits, and large publicly-traded corporations, I share my insights to help you understand how to protect yourself and your organization from the financial and emotional impacts of insider fraud. The Thief in Your Company is an engaging book that will familiarize you with the red flags of fraud, typical schemes that impact all business, and actionable steps to prevent fraud in your organization.

Why I Love Speaking

Almost as much as I love my clients’ “aha” moments, so too do I love watching the same “aha” moments from the members of my audience! I have presented to groups throughout North America ~ from accountants and auditors to investigators and legal firms to business organizations in a myriad of industries. I believe there is more to fraud and forensic accounting than the technical aspect of our roles and understanding the “human” side of fraud helps organizations deter it and helps auditors find it.

I am a faculty member for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and in 2014 was honored as their James R. Baker Speaker of the Year, presented to an individual who has “demonstrated the true spirit of leadership, communication, presentation, and quality instruction.”

Media

One day, out of the blue, NPR called to ask me about a presidential candidate’s tax returns, and the rest is history. Since that time, I have been featured or have been a source to a number of media outlets like The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC and The Wall Street Journal. I have also been interviewed for KGW 8-TV in Portland, KING 5-TV in Seattle and iHeartRadio.

Just like clients need clarity about complex financial matters, so too do your readers, listeners, and viewers. Don’t hesitate to call me if I can help you clarify a story you’re working on.

Personal

One might think that great businesses survive on a winning product or service and plenty of cash. While those two elements are crucial to the success of any business, I have found a third element is also critical: the support of a raving-fan spouse. My success, and the success of Acuity would not be possible without Rusty, my husband of more than 20 years. Starting a business when your husband is a stay at home dad and there are no other sources of income, may have looked like a foolish choice back in 2007 when Acuity was formed; but Rusty encouraged me to go for it. No matter the highs or lows of business ownership, or the adventures I find myself following, his faith and strength provide a home base for me and our boys.

Speaking of boys – we have two of them. Teenagers who are young men that give you faith in young people again. Jake will soon be navigating a post-high school world where his entrepreneurial spirit will lead him on adventures of his own. Thomas is navigating high school with dreams of a military career. He likes rules and order. Don’t tell either of them that they take after their mom.